Legendary Jean-Michel SAIVE is the top seed in the Men’s Singles event at the Euro-Africa Series Morocco Open, to be staged in Rabat from Thursday to Sunday. In terms of longevity, the 43 year-old Belgian is setting new standards; when he appeared in Pari,
Legendary Jean-Michel SAIVE is the top seed in the Men’s Singles event at the Euro-Africa Series Morocco Open, to be staged in Rabat from Thursday to Sunday.
In terms of longevity, the 43 year-old Belgian is setting new standards; when he appeared in Paris earlier this year in May, he was competing in no less than his 22nd World Championships. Equally on the ITTF World Tour the record is staggering; when he plays in Rabat he will be competing in no less than his 118th Tour tournament. Now in its 18th year, Jean-Michel SAIVE has played in every year of the concept and in every continent.
Speaking about the Euro-Africa Series it will be third tournament this season. So far we had three surprise winners. Brazil’s Cazuo MATSUMOTO won in Spain, whilst in Cairo and Egypt the player who secured the top step of the podium was Abdel-Kader SALIFOU of France. In all three instances neither player was listed amongst the top two seeds. Abdel-Kader SALIFOU will play again in Morocco. He is the second seed this time.
Equally, a major challenge to the aspirations of the twice winner on this year’s Tour comes from his colleagues, the rising generation of French stars. Enzo ANGLES, who currently occupies third spot on the ITTF Junior Boys’ Standings and was crowned champion at the French Junior and Cadet Open earlier this year, is on duty, as are fellow teenagers Alexandre ROBINOT, Antoine HACHARD and Mehdi BOULOUSSA.
In Women’s Singles Event will play Maria BYKOVA of Russia, DE Sarah NUTTE of Luxembourg, Irina ERMAKOVA of Russia…
